Study design and population

Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study is the prospective cohort study conducted in different regions of Poland. The final cohort is intended to comprise 1800 mother-child pairs to be recruited within 4-year period (2007-2011).

Assessment of exposure

Biological samples including saliva, urine, hair, blood, cord blood and breast milk are collected from study subjects. The exposure to heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and environmental tobacco smoke is assessed. It is also intended to explain the role of oxidative stress and nutritional status of the pregnant women on pregnancy outcome and children's health.

Follow-up of the children

The children are followed-up to the age of 2 years to determine long term effects of pre- and postnatal environmental exposures. The incidence of the upper and lower respiratory tract infections, middle ear diseases and symptoms of allergy among the child is identified. BSID-III is used for assessment of child neurodevelopment.